Oldest Business in Collierville Closing Down After 146 Years

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(Collierville, TN) It is closing time for the oldest business in Collierville.

McGinnis Hardware on the Historic Town Square will shut its doors in a few weeks after 146 years in business.

“You came by at the perfect time,” said Jen Russell, as she hugged one of her customers.

She has owned and managed the hardware store for the last 20 years.

Neil Taylor was hanging a ceiling fan on Friday and stopped by to get a needed screw.

He was disheartened by the closing because he has shopped at McGinnis for the last forty years.

“They always have what you want,” said Taylor. “They come help you find it. It's just a shame to be closing.”

The store is rich in history.

It weathered the struggles of the Great Depression, even suffered heavy damage after it caught fire in 1996.

“I thought it was gone and that it would never come back, yet its back and it was bigger and better than ever,” said Kenneth Daniel, who has bought supplies there since 1994.

When the recession hit, business slowed down.

Owners say they couldn't compete with stores like Lowe's and Home Depot.

“Big box stores are there just to get you in and get you out. These people want to talk to you and how the weather is and how is your children doing and watch them grow up and we all had a big family,” said Daniel.

That's why closing is particularly hard for Russell, who has poured 20 years into the business.

She was too distraught to talk on camera because, for her, losing McGinnis Hardware is like losing more than six generations of family.

“For Collierville, this is the number one store, always will be,” said Barbara, a longtime customer. “It will be missed.”

Russell says the store will begin offering sales after Thanksgiving and will close by the end of the year.